Page 11 - HaMizrachi #28 Pesach USA 2021

TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

Who’s in Charge?

haraoh is the archetype of the the story, Pharaoh says: “Who is G-d?” repeatedly refuses. Seemingly, the power
many dictators throughout his- (Shemot 5:2). Pharaoh does not believe is in Pharaoh’s hands. He continues to
Ptory, who ruled over and enslaved in the existence of G-d, and actively feel that he is in control of the situa-
entire nations. The desire to rule over opposes His will. Like other powerful tion and that things will progress only
others stems first and foremost from rulers, Pharaoh sees himself as all-pow- according to his will. But the opposite
lack of self-confidence. Pharaoh was erful and does not recognize there is a is true. G-d is “playing” with Pharaoh,
afraid that the Jews would multiply; he G-d above him Who rules the world. causing him repeatedly to oppose the
was afraid of their talents, their physical He mistakenly thinks others are meant logical process of freeing the Jews.
strength, their unity. In order to prevent to satisfy his needs, instead of recogniz- While Pharaoh thinks he is “playing”
them from overcoming him, he rules ing that all people are created in G-d’s with G-d and the Jews, the truth is that
over them. image and are meant to serve G-d alone, G-d is “playing” with Pharaoh’s heart
Besides fear, the desire to rule stems and thus all men are equal. He tends to and hardening it, causing him to behave
from the attempt to fill the ruler’s exaggerate his power and value instead illogically and suffer repeated plagues
needs through using the strength and of feeling humility before the Creator. (see Rambam Shemoneh Perakim, 8,
abilities of others. Thus, Pharaoh takes רמאת םאו). Parashat Beshalach begins
advantage of the Jews’ workforce for the “” Like other powerful with the declaration – “When Pharaoh
needs of his kingdom, and with their rulers, Pharaoh sent out the nation” (Shemot 13:17).
help builds treasure storage cities. Despite him having opposed it, despite
sees himself as all- him wanting the story to end differently,
Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch reminds powerful and does despite him not believing in G-d’s power,
us that “there is nothing new under the in the end Pharaoh himself is the one
sun, and general historical phenomena not recognize there who let the Jews go and was forced to
are as old as history itself…” Indeed, the is a G-d above him acknowledge G-d’s power and his own
decree to harm the Jews has repeated who rules the world weakness.
itself throughout Jewish history in the
Diaspora, the conquest and enslavement Pharaoh’s attempt to rule over the Jews
of a nation over another repeats itself Therefore, there is a need for 10 plagues is strongly tied to his lack of belief in
throughout human history, and even to prove to Pharaoh again and again that G-d, and thus, the freedom of the Jews
one person rising up to rule over his he does not control a thing – as opposed is strongly tied to belief in G-d. In the
fellow on a personal level are everyday to G-d, who controls every single detail end, the Torah commands us to avoid
acts. of existence, from the forces of nature enslaving others:
to historical processes.
How can we free ourselves from such “For it is to Me that the Israelites are
rule? It seems that the first step is to cry But the most important point is the servants: they are My servants, whom I
out: “Bnei Yisrael cried out” (Shemot proof to Pharaoh that G-d rules even freed from the land of Egypt, I the L-rd
2:23). There is no need to inform G-d of over him – his feelings, thoughts and your G-d” (Vayikra 25:55).
the occurrence of an injustice, yet only behaviors. Pharaoh did not want to
when the Jews reach the stage of moan- send the Jews free, but in the end he
ing and crying out is there the possibility was the man to decide to free them. It
of beginning the process of redemption. would have been possible to free the
Only when the slave feels himself that Jews from Egypt against Pharaoh’s will,
something is not right, and he cries out, or even to kill Pharaoh, thus allowing
can revolution and change take place. the Jews to go free. But the way G-d
chose was different: G-d waits for Pha-
The next step is to prove to Pharaoh raoh’s approval, asking him again and Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach and
that there is a G-d. At the beginning of again to set the Jews free, and Pharaoh is Content Editor for the HaTanakh website.

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